Page 78 of To the Moon and Back
“Yes.” She ran her fingertips over his brow. “We are that. Your heart to mine, Landon Blake. You are the brush I paint with in life.”
“And you”—he searched her eyes, the two of them lost in the moment—“are the colors in my painting.” He leaned back and grinned.
“Let’s pray for him. For a miracle.”
“Yes.”
Landon led the prayer, and it was beautiful. That God would change Brady’s heart and that he would see that the God he’d been avoiding was the very same God who had brought Brady and Jenna together.
When Landon was done, they stayed there on the porch swing, quiet in the gentle breeze. And Ashley did just what Landon had suggested. She sent Brady a simple text:
This is Ashley Blake. God keeps bringing you to mind. This probably seems a little out of left field. But I thought I’d let you know anyway.
She reviewed it and then read it to Landon.
“Perfect.” Landon smiled. “That should start the conversation.”
Ashley hit send and waited. It wasn’t until later that night when she was curled up in the living room recliner reading Devin’s book report that Brady texted back.
Hi Ashley. I know you mean well, and I appreciate that. But please keep God out of this. He took my mother and does nothing to stop the tragedies and heartbreak in this world. You want me to believe in a God like that?
Ashley sat up a little straighter and read his message again. She could almost hear the anger and hurt in his voice, almost see the pain in his eyes. His questions weren’t easy.
Lord, what am I supposed to tell him? How can I get him to understand that You’re real and You care? She looked out the window at the dark night.
My daughter . . . remind him that in this world you will have trouble. But I have overcome the world.
The words ran through her soul as if God were sitting beside her in the living room. Ashley felt chills on her arms. Lord, is that You? The message was clear, and it was something Brady needed to hear. The world had trouble. It always would. But God had overcome the world.
That’s what she needed to tell Brady.
She started to text, and then changed her mind. A real conversation was the only thing that could help at this point. She was sure. But even so she was afraid. What if he got mad or thought she was being too pushy? What if she made things worse? Okay, Father . . . give me the words. Please. She took a deep breath and placed the call.
Brady answered on the second ring. “Ashley.”
“Hi.” The two of them had never actually talked. “I thought it would be easier if I called. Jenna has kept in touch all summer. I feel like I know you.”
He sighed. “I can’t . . . Ashley, I’m not interested. I’m sorry.”
Ashley held her breath . Please, God . . . “I want to answer your question. That’s all.”
“My question?”
“Yes.” She exhaled. At least he was still on the phone. “You asked why you should believe. How you could believe in a God who allows pain and suffering.” Her heart was pounding. “May I answer?”
Silence filled the line for a long moment. “I really don’t want an answer.” He drew a sharp breath. “All right. Go ahead. Maybe I should hear this.”
Yes! She walked out onto the back porch and stood at the railing. The stars danced overhead. “Your mom believed in Jesus, right?”
“Yes.” His answer was quick, frustrated. Barely patient enough to listen. “Right up until a terrorist took her life.”
“Okay.” Ashley gripped the wooden rail. “So if she was a Christian, she believed in the Bible. And she believed in Jesus.”
“She did.” Brady paused. “She loved the Bible.” His voice softened a little. “At least from what I remember.”
Ashley stared at the sky, but suddenly all she could see were the words to the Scripture. “In the book of John it says in this world you will have trouble. It’s a promise.” She let that sink in. “But then it says to take heart . . . Because the Lord has overcome the world.”
He didn’t say anything for a few beats. He paused. “Take heart? So, we’re supposed to chock it up to earth. These things happen?” His tone was gentler. But the hurt remained.
